House of Commons Library briefing on NHS charges.
NHS Charges (715 KB , PDF)
The National Health Service Act 1946, which set up the NHS in England and Wales, contained a provision that NHS services should be provided free of charge unless that Act expressly provided for a charge. This provision has been carried forward into the legislation which replaced the 1946 Act – the NHS Act 1977, and subsequently the NHS Act 2006.
Since the founding of the NHS, amendments have been made to allow charges for NHS services including prescription, dental and optical charges.
This briefing paper sets out the provisions for various NHS charges, which groups are exempt, and explains where charges vary in the devolved nations.
There are separate Library briefings on NHS charges for overseas visitors and NHS hospital car parking charges.
NHS Charges (715 KB , PDF)
An overview of the development and rollout of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme, the Coronavirus Larger Business Interruption Loans Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans Scheme, including refinements and challenges, as well as the subsequent Recovery Loans Scheme.
This briefing paper considers suicide prevention policies and strategies throughout the UK. It outlines national and local approaches to prevention policy in some key policy areas.
A Westminster Hall debate on Prescription charge exemption and cystic fibrosis is scheduled for 2 February 2022 between 2:30-4pm. Paul Maynard MP will open the debate.
